Investigation of Illegal or Improper Activities in Connection with 1996 Federal Election Campaigns
Files
Serial Number
105-167.S
Levin Center Identifier
Document Date
1998-03-10
Report Length
9650 pages
Policy Agendas Project Major Code
Policy Agendas Project Minor Code
Additional, Minority, Dissenting Views
Additional views
Minority views
Minority views
Report Type
Found Using Methodology
Yes
Committee(s)
Subcommittee(s)
Commission(s)
Idependent Author(s)
Brief Executive Summary
The Senate Committee on Governmental Affairs investigated foreign campaign contributions in the 1996 election, ultimately finding that the Clinton/Gore campaign raised $44 million in excess of permissible funds that was used for reelection efforts. Alongside turning the White House and the Presidency into fundraising tools, the Clinton/Gore campaign benefited from foreign efforts to influence U.S. elections and facilitated the widespread abuse of soft money contributions. In response, the Committee recommended the appointment of an independent counsel to investigate the illegal activity documented throughout the report. Similarly, they suggested the reform of FEC structure and enforcement procedures to limit power of the Commissioner and develop a mechanism to revolve even splits. Further, the Committee proposed changes to reporting requirements, more specifically: requiring presidential candidates to certify to the FEC that they have not inappropriately coordinated activity to exceed expenditure limits, increasing penalties for knowingly and willfully accepting illegal campaign contributions, mandating electronic filing to the FEC to detect fraud, and requiring expedited reporting of contribution activity 90 days before the election.